The DRC plans to phase out customs duties on 6,230 products from African member countries by 2031, exempting only 209 items. Foreign Trade Minister Julien Paluku announced this on April 3 after a meeting on implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Prime Minister  Judith Suminwa chaired the meeting. 

Paluku noted that the lists of products, drawn in collaboration with the private sector, have been relayed to AfCFTA’s secretary general. However, the lists remain undisclosed, leaving the specifics unclear.

Paluku stressed that to fully benefit from the AfCFTA, compliance with rules of origin is critical—70% of a product's components must be from member countries. The Congolese authorities also view special economic zones (ZES) as crucial for leveraging the AfCFTA, as these zones have been designed to foster industrialization and diversification and bolster intra-African trade.

Despite these plans, the Foreign Trade Minister highlighted significant structural challenges in the DRC. He stressed notably the need to develop key infrastructure, including roads, railroads, and hydroelectric power plants, all essential for enhancing competitiveness in the African market.

This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho